1) Which dome port were you using for the 12-24mm?

2) If shooting wide can you still mount the strobes on the dovetail base or must you use a tray?

3) How did the S180 viewfinder compare with the Aquatica viewfinder?

Did you open the housing just a little to see how well the material absorbed water? Just kidding

Hi George,

I didn't shoot the 12-24DX underwater for these tests. I only shot Macro and used Shan's photos from the Stuart Cove's shark shootout for the wideangle sample (I have 4 or 5 of his shots at home and they are all sharp. He shot the 16mm fisheye with the appropriate small dome. Steven Frink recommends the Superdome for the 12-24DX as a diopter is not required.

Yes, you can always use the dovetail mounts on the housing - even for wideangle shooting. They are on the top of the housing though, so may not provide as stable of a base for big wide arms.

You can't compare the S-180 viewfinder to any other IMO. You can compare the Seacam Pro viewfinder w/ the Aquatica as they are similar. But the S-180's viewfinder image is literally two to three times as big. The pro viewfinder was usable though, as good or better than others I've used, so you don't HAVE to buy an S-180.

Cheers
James

That's why I asked It's an expensive option, but an option none-the-less. Just curious as to how much an improvement it was. Of course, your eyes aren't as old as some of ours. I would prefer something similar to a 42" plasma myself.

You CAN compare the S180 to the S45, which I prefer greatly. The 45 degree viewing thing can be tricky to get used to, but I'm a much more versatile shooter now. Specifically, it is easier to shoot upward (or downward, or to the side), since the eyepiece rotates 360 degrees.

Harald told me that most non-Americans shoot the S45, and that he made the S180 for Steve and the American market.

Interesting to note that the S45 was the viewfinder David Doubilet chose for his housing as well. I use the S180 far more than the S45, but then David no doubt shoots more macro than I do. Each viewfinder will have its own very specific advantages, but each offers the same enlarged view and +/- three diopter correction.

I've been using the Seacam S2Pro with a 12~24 behind a WP DomePort and PVL35mm extension. Whilst this is NOT recommended by Seacam it does have the advantage of size for use in adverse conditions and for travelling. For perfectionists the corners may be slightly soft but for many shots it is quite acceptable. I use a +4 dioptre in front of the lens which gave a good focus range (I noticed no problems with it anyway) and the results have been very good.

I must endorse everything stated in this review. Having taken underwater photographs for over 20 years I can also state that this is the best housing I have used to date!